Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2007 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 21 | Page No.: 3167-3176
DOI: 10.3923/jas.2007.3167.3176

Estimation of Glass-Forming Ability and Glass Stability of Sb₂S₃-As₂S₃-Sb₂Te₃ Glasses by Thermal Properties

K. N Dri, J. Sei, D. Houphouet -Boigny, G. Kra and J.C. Jumas

Abstract: Glass forming ability parameters defined by T_rg =T₈/T_m and K_h = (-T_g)/(T_m-), glass stability parameters such as K_w = (T_x^h-T_g)/T_m, ΔT = T_x^h-T_g and K_ll = T_x^h/(T_g+T_m) and the degree of undercooling ΔT_r = (T_m-T)/T_m are analysed for glasses of the ternary system Sb₂S₃-As₂S₃-Sb₂Te₃ as function of the As₂S₃ concentration. These parameters are formulated by different combinations of the following characteristic Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) temperatures: the glass transition temperature (T_g), the onset crystallization temperature (T_x^h), the peak crystallization temperature (T_c^h) and the melting temperature (T_m). Variations of the above parameters indicate that the studied glasses can vitrify easily and become increasingly stable when the concentration of As₂S₃ increases. Good correlations between ΔT_r and K_h and between ΔT_r and parameters (K_w, ΔT and K_ll), are found implying a low frequency of homogeneous nucleation in the thermally stable glasses. The degree of undercooling ΔT_r is an important parameter for the glass forming ability and the glass stability of Sb₂S₃-Sb₂Te₃-As₂S₃ glasses.